TechTrack FAQs

Applicants must:
be over 16 years old
have permission to live and work in the UK
have an eligibility residency status:
UK citizens- must have an ordinarily resident in the UK for the last three years
EU / EEA citizens must have obtained either pre-settled or settled status and have lived continuously in the EEA or the UK in the last three years
Non EU/EEA citizens- must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK ( not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the last three years. Those with refugee status or leave to enter/remain may be exempt from the three year rule.
Applicants must not:
be in receipt of a student loan
be on another Department For Education funded training programme, including another apprenticeship
hold a prior qualification at the same or higher level in a subject similar to the apprenticeship.

Applicants will be asked to share key information with us at the start of each application, such as residency status, levels of prior learning and any current Visas held.

Applicants will be asked to share key information with us at the start of each application, such as residency status, levels of prior learning and any current Visas held. 
Makers: for Software Developer/DevOps Engineer Roles – applicants will be asked to self-assess their current level of knowledge and skills in Software Development or DevOps Engineering. This will help us determine eligibility, and a member of the Makers Admissions team will keep applicants informed about this process as they go. This program is open to external and internal applicants.
BPP & Estio: for Business Analyst and Cyber Security Technologist Roles –  Both the Level 4 Business Analyst and Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist programmes require individuals to be employed in a relevant role and have a minimum of five GCSEs grade A – C (9 –4 on the new grading system), and A Level 3 qualification such as A levels, NVQs, a BTEC or a Level 3 Apprenticeship. Learners will also need to have some IT level 2/3 qualification for Cyber. 

Yes. TechTrack apprenticeships are open to existing civil servants.

The apprenticeship for all four roles is set at a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade, therefore all apprentices will be receiving the HEO salary which may vary depending on the department they have joined. The terms and conditions will also be subject to the hosting departments terms and conditions. Should you remain in your current department your T&Cs will remain unchanged. To view the HEO Digital and Data framework for internal civil servants please reach out to your departmental HR team.

Existing permanent civil servants will remain as permanent civil servants regardless of change in departments. Current civil servants on fixed contracts or applicants joining the programme outside of the Civil Service will be offered a three year fixed contract or a permanent contract depending on the hosting department.

Previous experience and ability will be measured by aptitude tests when applying for the apprenticeship. As part of the application process individuals will complete a more in-depth knowledge, skills, and behaviours questionnaire to ascertain the level of experience in each area, this process identifies areas where prior learning may mean a revision in the standard delivery. 
For both Software Developer and DevOps Engineer apprenticeships applicants aren’t required to have prior technical experience or qualifications. We’re looking for passion and enthusiasm, and a real interest in tech. We’ll send you a course to complete along with our coding challenge. If successful, you’ll then be invited to the next stage of the application process.
For Cyber Security roles you will need to have a qualification with IT such as a BTEC in IT.

It’s a great level for using as a starting point into a new career, and also an excellent foundation from which you can pursue a degree level (6) apprenticeship, as it will count towards that and set you up well for progression should you wish.

Apprenticeship levels do not correspond to grades, the “EO is level 4” approach is quite limiting and means that those who are further down the line in their career, say at Higher Executive Officer (HEO,) would be required to take a demotion to access this learning. Apprenticeships are for any grade and any career stage.
Importantly, TechTrack is an up-skilling programme, not an entry talent programme, therefore it is targeting those already established in their working life who want a career change into digital. Their other professional capabilities mean that they are HEO standard, but their subject matter gap requires them to start from the beginning. 

Another important reason why TechTrack is targeting HEO is because the workforce data shows that the highest number of persistent vacancies and therefore skills gaps in the Civil Service workforce are at SEO and Grade 7. TechTrack is designed to be an at-pace route to upskilling, meaning that after 18 months to two years on the programme learning on the job, participants will be ready to progress to SEO grade roles, helping to populate the pipeline up to Grade 7.

The apprentice would have to pass the application process aimed to prove candidates ability to perform at HEO level. If successful during the application process the apprentice will be an HEO on starting the apprenticeship.

For internal Civil Servants you can find out more about downgrading guidance provided by your departmental HR team.

Yes, Apprentices who have completed their Level 2 digital apprenticeships can apply for TechTrack.

Candidates can express a preference of departments they may wish to work for as an apprentice, but this is not guaranteed. The choice is recorded on the initial application form.

TechTrack apprenticeship will be in various locations across England, depending on your location and which department you are offered a role in. Most roles are hybrid roles with a mix of home working and within your department office location. There are various office locations* across England including London, Manchester, Darlington, Nottingham, Ipswich, Newcastle, Croydon, Exeter, Birmingham and Leeds.
*Subject to the department’s location you are matched with.

All apprentices are expected to be based in England for the duration of their apprenticeship. Individuals will be given a dedicated workspace in their departments location and may be allowed to work flexibly or in a hybrid manner. Depending on the nature of your work, flexible working arrangements may be available once offered a TechTrack place.

Applicants concerned about expenses and / or relocation, should discuss this at the earliest opportunity first with the apprenticeship provider and then with the departments. We encourage applicants to conduct these discussions during first time interviews with the providers and then with the hosting department in order to manage and set expectations.

Yes, apprentices will receive a HEO equivalent salary. This will vary depending on the department they are based in.

For Software Developers, the apprenticeship programme will last 2 years. This includes 16 months practical + 6 months end point assessment (EPA). The apprenticeship programme for Software Developers is divided into structured phases to ensure comprehensive learning and practical experience. 
The programme begins with a 16-week intensive bootcamp, where apprentices acquire foundational knowledge and skills. This is followed by a 12-month practical placement within the department, allowing apprentices to apply their learning in real-world scenarios and gain hands-on experience. The final 6 months are dedicated to the End Point Assessment (EPA), during which apprentices demonstrate their competencies through a series of assessments to achieve certification. 

For DevOps Engineers, the apprenticeship programme will last 18 months – two years. This includes 16 months practical + 4 months EPA. The DevOps Engineer apprenticeship programme is tailored to meet the needs of each apprentice. The programme kicks off with a 16-week bootcamp, designed to provide in-depth training in DevOps principles and practices. Following the bootcamp, apprentices enter a 12-month practical placement within an organisation, gaining valuable experience in a live environment. 
The last phase of the programme is the End Point Assessment (EPA), which spans 4 months. During this period, apprentices undergo rigorous evaluations to confirm their readiness and proficiency in DevOps engineering

For Business Analysts, the apprenticeship programme will last 18 months*. This includes 15 months learning plus 3 months for the EPA. All teaching, coaching and workplace development is delivered online with typically 2 hours per week of webinars with a business analysis expert. Individuals will be expected to study for around 6 hours per week across the duration of their programme.

For Cyber Security Technologists, the apprenticeship programme will last two years*. This includes 14 months learning plus 4 months for the EPA across three specialist pathways including Security Engineer, Risk Analysis or Defend and Respond. All teaching, coaching and workplace development is delivered online with typically 2 to 3 days training held once a month with a cyber expert. Individuals will be expected to study for around 6 hours per week across the duration of their programme.

For both the Software Developer and DevOps Engineer roles, apprentices are required to submit work to their coaches regularly throughout the programme to demonstrate they are meeting the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship. For many of the modules or stages, this will require learners to submit evidence against technical challenges or stages of their portfolio. This in turn allows coaches to feed back to the developer on their overall progress. Submitting evidence against technical challenges or stages is one of the key skills they build up over the time spent on the programme. 

Coaches aim to feed back frequently to developers, through holistic combination of written feedback on submitted challenges, 1:1 interactions and observations.
Both the Business Analyst and Cyber Security Technologist programmes are evaluated through an end point assessment which is conducted by an independent assessor. For the Business Analyst apprenticeship this includes a project proposal with questioning and a professional discussion underpinned by portfolio. For the Cyber Security Technologist apprenticeship this includes a project report, knowledge test, scenario demonstration with questioning and a professional discussion underpinned by portfolio.

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be encouraged to apply for SEO roles, given the learning and knowledge acquired during the apprenticeship. All departments encourage and foster career progression and new learning opportunities. Line managers will be encouraged to hold discussions with their apprentices to explore further opportunities and next steps. 

Apprentices will also be given the opportunity to join our providers alumni where they can network with industry professionals. In addition, throughout the apprenticeship the training provider will provide career information, advice and guidance, this usually takes place at the 8-week reviews with the programme coach.
Further information from our providers: Typically, individuals completing the Level 4 Business Analyst apprenticeship may progress to either the Level 6 Data Scientist and or Level 6 Digital Technology Solutions Professional Degree apprenticeship to gain further depth in the data or business analytics field dependent on their next role or career aspirations. 

Individuals completing the Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist programme typically may progress to the Level 6 Digital Technology Solutions Professional Degree Apprenticeship to gain further depth in the cyber field. 

The apprentices will be part of a Community of Practice for their respective role, in which they will be part of a digital community and share knowledge with more experienced Civil Servants. 

Our provider for the Software Developer and DevOps Engineer roles, Makers, hosts an Alumni community, where a network of thousands of learners who have completed training at Makers across a huge variety of tech roles in lots of different sectors are able to share learnings.

All Civil Service departments encourage and support continued learning and professional development. Apprentices should explore opportunities within their departments and across the civil service to continue with their professional development.

Our providers excel in providing class leading pastoral care and support to our apprentices, if an apprentice expresses a desire to leave the programme, our providers and line managers will provide full support in ensuring all other avenues have been explored and provisions have been made where possible to support the apprentice. Should you leave the programme please discuss what will happen to your role with your line manager and departmental HR team.